PNG: Post-Courier editorial on failed mutiny - 'Leave it to the courts'

OPINION: PORT MORESBY (PNG Post-Courier / Pacific Media Watch): Papua New Guineans woke up, some in shock, some in fear and others filled with anxiety, from the news of the failed mutiny [26 January 2012] in the PNG Defence Force.

As news of the mutiny spread like a wild bushfire around the country, questions were being asked as to why this was happening – a first in the history of the PNG Defence Force.

As we were covering the events as they unfolded at Murray Barracks, we were also trying to establish the motive. We looked at some of the prevailing issues that are confronting the PNG Defence Force at the moment.

The first one is the fact that all was not well at the Ist Royal Pacific Islands Regiment at Taurama Barracks.

In recent weeks, the soldiers in that barracks were not happy with their commanding officer and had petitioned their commander, Brigadier-General Francis Agwi, to remove him but that did not happen.

When Commander Agwi did not respond favourably to the demand, the rank and file in the barracks was not happy.

We are also aware that there were elements in the army that were not happy with the way commander Agwi was openly siding with the government of Prime Minister Peter O’Neill. These were men, we were told, who wanted the army to play a neutral role in the power play this country has witnessed in recent months.

Outstanding issues
Then there are the other outstanding issues like the payment of outstanding entitlements for retrenched officers, the breakdown of defence force facilities and the outstanding debts. There are people in the army who felt that commander Agwi was not handling those issues well.

It all came together when the mutineers presented their demands – one being the recall of Parliament in seven days to reinstate Sir Michael Somare as Prime Minister. So this was politically motivated.

Did we, as a country, need that failed mutiny in the PNG Defence Force at all? The answer is a big “no”.

This is because the tussle for power between Peter O’Neill and Sir Michael Somare is now back in the courts.

This is the right avenue where this conflict should be dealt with and we urged all politicians on both sides to respect this process.

There was no call for this failed mutiny to take place.

This is because we believe this country has been subjected to enough fear, anxiety and uncertainty already and there was no need for the people to go through all of that again.

Laws broken
The mutiny may be neutralised but what of the aftermath. In this failed mutiny, we are sure, some laws were broken.

We urge the government of Peter O’Neill to be careful in the way it handles the soldiers that took part in that exercise.

If we may suggest, the PNG Defence Force should be allowed to deal with its members in its own way.

We are aware that there are laws and regulations in the Defence Force Act that can be used to deal with errant soldiers. We urge the police to keep out of this.

We know that mutiny or even treason are very serious crimes and we know the PNGDF command is aware of this and will deal with the soldiers accordingly.

PNG Post-Courier front page lead story, 27 January 2012:
MUTINY!

Staff reporters

PORT MORESBY (PNG Post-Courier / Pacific Media Watch): The struggle for power between Papua New Guinea's Parliament-elect Prime Minister Peter O’Neill and the Supreme Court reinstated Prime Minister Sir Michael Somare is far from over.

This follows a failed mutiny — the first ever in this country’s Defence Force — led by a retired army officer supported by about 40 gun-totting soldiers who stormed the military headquarters of the PNG Defence Force at Murray Barracks in Port Moresby in the early hours of Thursday, January 26, catching everyone by surprise.

The mutineers placed the commander, Brigadier-General Francis Agwi under house arrest and installed retired colonel, 65-year-old Yaura Sasa as commander.

The drama unfolded first at the Taurama Barracks, home of the 1st Royal Pacific Islands Regiment where the mutineers, placed their own Commander Officer Lt. Colonel Francis Kari under house arrest and then proceeded to Murray Barracks.

As the drama unfolded at the PNGDF headquarters, the police, who were aware of the mutiny threat, went into action and secured all strategic locations and government institutions including state house, government printer and Mourata House, the seat of government.

“We were all caught by surprise. Fully armed soldiers moved into the barracks and cut power off, proceeded to the residence of the officer who looked after the armoury and ordered him out. They led him at gun point to open the armoury and armed themselves,” an eyewitness told the Post-Courier.

The mutineers, in a press conference with the local media demanded that the Parliament be recalled in seven days and Sir Michael be restored as the Prime Minister. They also demanded that all entitlements for retrenched and former soldiers of the PNGDF be paid promptly by the State.

Under siege
While the mutineers lay siege to the defence headquarters, soldiers loyal to their commander watched helplessly from a distance at the main barracks. Eyewitnesses told the Post-Courier the mutineers that fired on the soldiers to disperse them, sending the public running for cover and had had to move in to close all roads leading into the barracks.

“This is mutiny and the actions of the soldiers borders of treason too,” government Chief Secretary, Manasupe Zurenuoc told the Post-Courier.

Prime Minister Peter O’Neill, in a press conference later, said normalcy was restored at the PNG Defence Force headquarters.

And he put the blame squarely on Sir Michael for inciting an illegal take over of the force’s Commander, Francis Agwi, with retrenched colonel, Yaura Sasa.

And he warned in no uncertain terms that perpetrators of the mutiny would face the full brunt of the law adding Sasa himself would be dealt with by the “appropriate authorities” tasked to handle the matter.

“I expect the rule of law to apply,” he said.

Minister stood down
O’Neill announced that his deputy, Belden Namah, had been appointed as Acting Defence Minister to deal with the situation, relieving Minister Guma Wau of duties.

By 5pm the situation at the army headquarters was neutralised. The mutineers had returned to their barracks and the commander was freed.

The Post-Courier understands that retired Colonel Sasa will be arrested soon.

The UN and all diplomatic missions in the country also watched the development in the Port Moresby. The Australia Foreign Affairs Department has issued an alert to its citizens in the city to be careful when moving around.

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